Sara Plourde sets UMass season strikeout mark

Sara Plourde struck out nine to break the UMass single-season school record as the host Minutewomen earned a 3-1 victory over Boston College Wednesday.

The win extended UMass’ nation’s-best unbeaten streak to 20 games to improve to 34-7-1.

Ploude (33-5), now with 472 strikeouts this season, came into the game two strikeouts shy of Danielle Henderson’s UMass single-season record of 465, set in 1999. The sophomore right-hander wasted no time, striking out the first three batters of the game to reach 466. The nation’s leader in strikeouts allowing one run on five hits and two walks.

Plourde’s victory placed her one behind Brandice Balschmiter’s school record of 34 set last season.

Meghan Carta hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Carta, who went 2 for 2, also doubled and was hit by a pitch.

Michelle Libby went 2 for 3 with a run batted in..

Plourde pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the second inning. After a groundout to start the frame, she issued a walk, a fielder’s choice, another walk, and a single up the middle to load the bases with two outs, but the Bristol, Conn., native fanned the next batter to end the threat.

BASEBALL

¦UMass 8, Northeastern 6: Ryan Cusick and Eric Fredette each had three hits to power the host Minutemen (14-22) to their fourth straight victory.

Cusick doubled and scored in the first and drove in an insurance run in the eighth with an infield hit.